Markets Right Now: Tech stocks gain on first day of 2018

The latest on developments in financial markets (All times local):

4 p.m.

Stock indexes are closing higher on the first trading day of 2018, led by gains in big technology companies.

Retailers also led the way higher Tuesday. Nordstrom rose 3.7 percent, while Facebook gained 2.8 percent and Apple rose 1.8 percent.

The gains were enough to set all-time highs for the Standard & Poor's 500 index and the Nasdaq composite.

Natural gas prices climbed as cold weather continued to grip large parts of the U.S.

The S&P 500 index rose 22 points, or 0.8 percent, to 2,695.

The Dow Jones industrial average increased 104 points, or 0.4 percent, to 24,824. The Nasdaq climbed 103 points, or 1.5 percent, to 7,006.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 2.46 percent.

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11:45 a.m.

Stock prices are moving higher in midday trading as traders return from the New Year's holiday.

Technology stocks and retailers rose more than the rest of the market in midday trading Tuesday.

Facebook gained 2.3 percent and Nordstrom rose 4.1 percent.

Natural gas prices climbed 2 percent as cold weather continued to grip large parts of the U.S.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 15 points, or 0.6 percent, to 2,689.

The Dow Jones industrial average increased 40 points, or 0.2 percent, to 24,761. The Nasdaq composite climbed 82 points, or 1.2 percent, to 6,986.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 2.46 percent.

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9:35 a.m.

Stock prices are moving higher in early trading as traders return from the New Year's holiday.

Retailers were up more than the rest of the market in early trading Tuesday. Nordstrom rose 3.7 percent and Kohl's gained 3.3 percent.

Natural gas prices climbed 3.7 percent as cold weather continued to grip large parts of the U.S.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 9 points, or 0.3 percent, to 2,682.

The Dow Jones industrial average increased 123 points, or 0.5 percent, to 24,844. The Nasdaq composite climbed 27 points, or 0.4 percent, to 6,932.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 2.43 percent.